Mechanical attach and retention feature

ABSTRACT

A mechanical attach and retention feature is described. An apparatus may include a cover portion that is configured to cover at least a portion of a display device of a computing device having a mobile form factor that is configured to be held by one or more hands of a user. The apparatus includes, a first mid-spine that is rotationally connected to the cover portion, a second mid-spine that is rotationally connected to the first mid-spine, and a connection portion that is rotationally connection to the second mid-spine. The connection portion is configured to form a removable physical coupling to the computing device using a projection that is configured to be disposed within a channel formed in a housing of the computing device and a protrusion disposed on the projection, the protrusion configured to be received within a cavity formed as part of the channel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/229,196 filed Mar. 28, 2014 entitled “MechanicalAttach and Retention Feature”, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Mobile computing devices have been developed to increase thefunctionality that is made available to users in a mobile setting. Forexample, a user may interact with a mobile phone, tablet computer, orother mobile computing device to check email, surf the web, composetexts, interact with applications, and so on.

Because mobile computing devices are configured to be mobile, however,the devices may be exposed to a variety of different environments andusage scenarios that could potentially damage the device. Accordingly,devices (e.g., covers) have been developed to protect the computingdevice. Conventional techniques to install and remove these devices fromthe computing device, however, alternated between being difficult toremove but providing good protection or being relatively easy to removebut providing limited protection.

SUMMARY

A mechanical attach and retention feature is described. In one or moreimplementations, an apparatus includes a cover portion that isconfigured to cover at least a portion of a display device of acomputing device having a mobile form factor such that the computingdevice is configured to be held by one or more hands of a user. Theapparatus includes a first mid-spine that is rotationally connected tothe cover portion, a second mid-spine that is rotationally connected tothe first mid-spine, and a connection portion that is rotationallyconnection to the second mid-spine. The connection portion is configuredto form a removable physical coupling to the computing device using aprojection that is configured to be disposed within a channel formed ina housing of the computing device and a protrusion disposed on theprojection, the protrusion configured to be received within a cavityformed as part of the channel.

In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a cover portionconfigured to cover at least a portion of a display device of acomputing device having a mobile form factor such that the computingdevice is configured to be held by one or more hands of a user. Theapparatus also includes a connection portion that is rotationallyconnection to the cover portion via a rotatable hinge. The connectionportion is configured to form a removable physical coupling to thecomputing device using a projection that is configured to be disposedwithin a channel formed in a housing of the computing device and aprotrusion disposed on the projection, the protrusion configured to bereceived within a cavity formed as part of the channel, the protrusionis configured to be removed from the cavity along an axis defined by aheight of the protrusion from the projection and to resist movementalong at least one different axis. The protrusion has sides along theaxis having a first portion disposed on the side between the protrusionand the input portion and a second portion that follows a longitudinalaxis of the connection portion, the second portion having an angle inrelation to the axis that is greater than an angle of the second portionin relation to the axis.

In one or more implementations, a computing system includes a computingdevice and an apparatus that are configured to be physically coupledusing a projection that is configured to be disposed within a channeland a protrusion disposed on the projection. The protrusion isconfigured to be received within a cavity formed as part of the channeland configured to be removed from the cavity along an axis defined by aheight of the protrusion from the projection and to resist movementalong at least one different axis. The protrusion has sides along theaxis having a first portion disposed on the side between the protrusionand the input portion and a second portion that follows a longitudinalaxis of the connection portion, the second portion having an angle inrelation to the axis that is greater than an angle of the second portionin relation to the axis.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different instances in thedescription and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.Entities represented in the figures may be indicative of one or moreentities and thus reference may be made interchangeably to single orplural forms of the entities in the discussion.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment in an example implementationthat is operable to employ the mechanical attach and detach techniquesdescribed herein.

FIG. 2 depicts an example implementation of a protection device of FIG.1 as showing a rotatable hinge in greater detail.

FIG. 3 depicts an example implementation showing a perspective view of aconnection portion of FIG. 2 that includes the mechanical couplingprotrusions.

FIG. 4 depicts an example implementation showing a side view of themechanical attach feature that is configured as a protrusion along alongitudinal axis of the connection portion.

FIG. 5 depicts an example implementation showing a side view of themechanical attach feature that is configured as a protrusion that isnormal to a longitudinal axis of the connection portion.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example implementation showing a sideview of the protection device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 depicts an example implementation in which a variety of differentorientations of the protection device in relation to the computingdevice are shown.

FIG. 8 depicts a cross section taken along an axis of FIG. 2 showing themagnetic coupling device as well as a cross section of a cavity of thecomputing device in greater detail.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a magnetic coupling portion that may beemployed by the protection device or computing device to implement aflux fountain.

FIG. 10 depicts an example of a magnetic coupling portion that may beemployed by the protection device or computing device to implement aflux fountain.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross section taken along an axis of FIG. 2 showingthe mechanical coupling protrusion as well as a cross section of acavity of the computing device in greater detail.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example system including various components of anexample device that can be implemented as any type of computing deviceas described with reference to FIGS. 1-11 to implement embodiments ofthe techniques described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

A variety of different devices may be physically attached to a mobilecomputing device to provide a variety of functionality. For example, adevice may be configured to provide a cover for at least a displaydevice of the computing device to protect it against harm. Other devicesmay also be physically attached to the mobile computing device, such asan input device (e.g., keyboard having a track pad) to provide inputs tothe computing device. However, conventional techniques that wereutilized to support a physical attachment alternated between providinggood protection or ease of removal, but not both.

Mechanical attach and detach techniques are described. In one or moreimplementations, a cover (or other device such as an input device) isconfigured to protect at least a portion of a mobile computing device,such as a display device. The cover is attachable via a removablephysical computing (e.g., via a magnetic interface) which may be mademore robust to user interaction (e.g., open, close, drop) by theaddition of mechanical features. The mechanical features (e.g.,protrusions) may be used to prevent the cover from detaching from thecomputing device except when the user specifically intends to detach thecover. Thus, the mechanical features may be used to protect againstunintended detach in a variety of different scenarios, such as whenwrapping the cover around the back of the device, wrapping the coveraround a stylus that is located on the back of the device, wrapping thecover around a stylus that is attached to the cover, picking the deviceup by the cover, grasping the cover as the device slips out of theuser's hand, the device falls and impacts an immoveable object, and soon.

Additionally, the mechanical features may be configured to support easeof attach and removal by one or more hands of a user. The mechanicalfeatures, for instance, may be configured to have a size and shape suchthat the cover may be removed in a manner that mimics tearing a pagefrom a book but restricts removal along other axes. The shape and heightof a protrusion of the mechanical features, for example, may support adesired balance between ease of attach and retention of the cover,further discussion of which may be found in relation to the followingsections.

In the following discussion, an example environment is first describedthat may employ the techniques described herein. Although a passivedevice is described, other devices are also contemplated that includeinput functionality, such as a cover/keyboard combination. For example,these techniques are equally applicable to active devices, e.g., a coverhaving and input portion (e.g., keys of a keyboard), track pads,capacitive touch devices, membrane switches, and so on as furtherdescribed below.

Example Environment

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment 100 in an exampleimplementation that is operable to employ the mechanical attach anddetach techniques described herein. The illustrated environment 100includes an example of a computing device 102 that is physically andcommunicatively coupled to a protection device 104 via a rotatable hinge106. The protection device 104 may be configured in a variety of ways,such as a cover as illustrated, an input device (e.g., a keyboard), anoutput device, and so on.

The computing device 102 may also be configured in a variety of ways.For example, the computing device 102 may be configured for mobile use,such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer as illustrated, and so on.Thus, the computing device 102 may range from full resource devices withsubstantial memory and processor resources to a low-resource device withlimited memory and/or processing resources. The computing device 102 mayalso relate to software that causes the computing device 102 to performone or more operations.

The computing device 102, for instance, is illustrated as including aninput/output module 108. The input/output module 108 is representativeof functionality relating to processing of inputs and rendering outputsof the computing device 102. A variety of different inputs may beprocessed by the input/output module 108, such as inputs relating tofunctions that correspond to keys of the protection device 104 (e.g.,when including input functionality), keys of a virtual keyboarddisplayed by the display device 110 to identify gestures and causeoperations to be performed that correspond to the gestures that may berecognized through the protection device 104 and/or touchscreenfunctionality of the display device 110, and so forth. Thus, theinput/output module 108 may support a variety of different inputtechniques by recognizing and leveraging a division between types ofinputs including key presses, gestures, and so on.

As previously described, the protection device 104 is physically andcommunicatively coupled to the computing device 102 in this examplethrough use of a rotatable hinge 106. The rotatable hinge 106 may beconfigured in a variety of ways to support rotation, such as amechanical hinge, friction hinge, flexible hinge, and so on. For examplea flexible hinge is flexible in that rotational movement supported bythe hinge is achieved through flexing (e.g., bending) of the materialforming the hinge as opposed to mechanical rotation as supported by apin, although that embodiment is also contemplated. Further, thisflexible rotation may be configured to support movement in one or moredirections (e.g., vertically in the figure) yet restrict movement inother directions, such as lateral movement of the protection device 104in relation to the computing device 102. This may be used to supportconsistent alignment of the protection device 104 in relation to thecomputing device 102, such as to align sensors used to change powerstates, application states, and so on.

The rotatable hinge 106, for instance, may be formed using one or morelayers of fabric and include conductors formed as flexible traces tocommunicatively couple the protection device 104 to the computing device102 and vice versa, e.g., when including keys of a keyboard aspreviously described. This communication, for instance, may be used tocommunicate a result of a key press to the computing device 102, receivepower from the computing device, perform authentication, providesupplemental power to the computing device 102, and so on. The rotatablehinge 106 may be configured in a variety of ways, further discussion ofwhich may be found in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 2 depicts an example implementation 200 of the protection device104 of FIG. 1 as showing the rotatable hinge 106 in greater detail. Inthis example, a connection portion 202 of the protection device 104 isshown that is configured to provide a removable physical connection (andeven communicative connection) between the protection device 104 and thecomputing device 102. The connection portion 202 as illustrated has aheight and cross section configured to be received in a channel in thehousing of the computing device 102, although this arrangement may alsobe reversed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The connection portion 202 is flexibly connected to a portion of theprotection device 104 that forms a cover for a display device 110 of thecomputing device 102 of FIG. 1. Thus, when the connection portion 202 isphysically connected to the computing device 102 the combination of theconnection portion 202 and the rotatable hinge 106 supports movement ofthe protection device 104 in relation to the computing device 102 thatis similar to a hinge of a book.

Through this rotational movement, a variety of different orientations ofthe protection device 104 in relation to the computing device 102 may besupported. For example, rotational movement may be supported by therotatable hinge 106 such that the protection device 104 may be placedagainst the display device 110 of the computing device 102, positionedat a rear of the computing device 102, and so on as further described inrelation to FIG. 7.

The connection portion 202 is illustrated in this example as includingmagnetic coupling devices 204, 206, mechanical coupling protrusions 208,210, and a plurality of communication contacts 212. The magneticcoupling devices 204, 206 are configured to form a removable physicalcoupling to complementary magnetic coupling devices of the computingdevice 102 through use of one or more magnets. In this way, theprotection device 104 may be physically secured to the computing device102 through use of magnetic attraction such that the protection device104 may be attached and removed manually by a user without the use oftools.

The connection portion 202 also includes a mechanical feature to supportthe removable physical attachment. For example, the mechanical featuremay be configured to include mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 toform a mechanical physical connection between the protection device 104and the computing device 102. The mechanical coupling protrusions 208,210 are shown in greater detail in relation to FIG. 3, which isdiscussed below. Additionally, the protrusions 208, 210 may beconfigured to support communication of data and/or transfer of power.

FIG. 3 depicts an example implementation 300 showing a perspective viewof the connection portion 202 of FIG. 2 that includes the mechanicalcoupling protrusions 208, 210. As illustrated, the mechanical couplingprotrusions 208, 210 are configured to extend away from a surface of theconnection portion 202, which in this case is perpendicular althoughother angles are also contemplated.

The mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 (i.e., protrusion in thefollowing discussion) are configured to be received within complimentarycavities within the channel of the computing device 102. When soreceived, the mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 promote amechanical binding between the devices when forces are applied that arenot aligned with an axis that is defined as correspond to the height ofthe protrusions and the depth of the cavity, further discussion of whichmay be found in relation to FIG. 11.

The illustrated cut-away view of FIG. 3 follows a longitudinal axis ofthe connection portion 202. The protrusions 208, 210 include sides thatare generally perpendicular to a top surface of the connection portion202 and that follow, generally, an axis of insertion and removal that isto be supported by the protrusions 208, 210 within respective cavitiesof the computing device 102.

The sides of the protrusion 208 may be configured to have differentangles to support a balance between a security and ease of attachmentand removal. For example, a first portion 302 of the side of theprotrusion 208 may be disposed between the connection portion 202 andthe rest of the cover whereas a second side 304 may follow alongitudinal axis of the connection portion 202. These portions may haveangles that are configured to support a secure attachment that may beeasily removed by a user, such as to configure the first portion 202 tohave less of an angle than the second portion 304 as further describedbelow.

FIG. 4 depicts an example implementation 400 showing a side view of themechanical attach feature that is configured as a protrusion 208 along alongitudinal axis of the connection portion 202. The protrusion 208 isdisposed on the connection portion 202 that is physically coupled to arotatable hinge 106 as previously described. The protrusion 208 has aheight that corresponds to an intended axis of insertion and removal ofthe protrusion 208, which is illustrated through use of a phantom arrowin the figure. A variety of different heights may be utilized toconfigure the protrusion 208, such as a height between 1.9 and 3.0millimeters, at approximately 2.2 millimeters, and so on.

The protrusion 208 has portions 302 of the side that are defined inrelation to this axis, which are opposite each other. These sides havean angle of approximately 1.5 degrees from this axis, although otherangles are also contemplated. Further, a 0.3 millimeter chamfer 402 isformed on the top of the protrusion 208 to aid insertion of theprotrusion within a cavity of the computing device 102. Thus, byincluding the chamfer 402 at an end of the protrusion 208 that is toinitiate contact with the cavity, alignment of the height of theprotrusion 208 with a depth of the cavity may be improved.

FIG. 5 depicts an example implementation 500 showing a side view of themechanical attach feature that is configured as a protrusion 208 that isnormal to a longitudinal axis of the connection portion 202. Theprotrusion 208 has portions 304 of the side that are defined in relationto this axis, which are opposite each other. These sides in thisinstance, however, have an angle of approximately 63.5 degrees from thisaxis, although other angles are also contemplated. This portion 304 alsoincludes the chamfer 402 on the top of the protrusion 208 to aidinsertion of the protrusion 208.

Thus, as illustrated the portion 304 of the side of the protrusion 208that follows a longitudinal axis of the connection portion 202 (and thusalignment along a line formed with protrusion 210) has an angle that isgreater than an angle employed by a side 304 that is normal to thelongitudinal axis. Thus, insertion and removal along the longitudinalaxis may be eased while promoting a secure connection at angles normalto this axis that follow rotational movement of the rotatable hinge 106.In this way, the protective device 104 may be rotated without causing anunintended disconnect (e.g., mimicking movement of a cover of a book toprotect the display device 110 and move the protective device 104 “outof the way”) yet permit ease of insertion and removal along other axes.

Returning again to FIG. 2, the rotatable hinge 106 may also beconfigured to support a minimum bend radius such that the rotatablehinge 106 resists flexing below that radius. A variety of differenttechniques may be employed. The rotatable hinge 106, for instance, maybe configured to include outer layers, which may be formed from afabric, microfiber cloth, and so on. Flexibility of material used toform the outer layers may be configured to support flexibility asdescribed above.

The protective device 104 includes a cover portion 212 that isconfigured to cover at least a portion of a display device 110 of thecomputing device 102. The rotatable hinge 106 also includes first andsecond mid-spines 214, 216 that are located between the connectionportion 202 and the cover portion 212. The first and second mid-spines214, 216 may be configured to support a variety of functionality, suchas to reduce a bend radius, provide additional support to the rotationalhinge 106, support storage of peripheral devices such as a stylus, andso on as further described below.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example implementation 600 showing aside view of the protection device 104 of FIG. 2. The protection device104 includes a connection portion 202 having the protrusion 208. Theconnection portion 202 is physically attached to the cover portion 212using a rotatable hinge 106 as previously described.

The rotatable hinge 106 is configured as a flexible hinge having firstand second mid-spines 214, 216. The first mid-spine 214 is connected tothe connection portion 202 and the second mid-spine 216 using flexiblehinges 602, 604, respectively. The second mid-spine 216 is alsoconnected to the cover portion 212 using a flexible hinge 606. Throughuse of the flexible hinges 602-606 in combination with the first andsecond mid-spines 214, 216, flexibility, an operational bend radius, andstability of the rotatable hinge 106 may be configured as desired,examples of which are described as follows and shown in a correspondingfigure.

FIG. 7 depicts an example implementation 700 in which a variety ofdifferent orientations of the protection device 104 in relation to thecomputing device 102 are shown. The illustration includes first, second,and third orientation 702, 704, 706 examples. In the first orientation702, the cover portion 212 is disposed at a rear of a housing of thecomputing device 102, e.g., such that a user may view the display device110.

The first and second mid-spines 214, 216 of the rotatable hinge 106 wraparound a peripheral device, which is illustrated as a stylus 708 in thisexample. The stylus 708 is disposed adjacent to a rear side of thecomputing device 102 that is opposite to a side having the displaydevice 110 of FIG. 1. Thus, the rotatable hinge 106 has a lengthsufficient to at least partially surround the stylus 708 and permit thecover portion 212 to flatly contact the rear of the computing device102. In this example the stylus 708, including a clip 710 of the stylus,are surrounded by the rotatable hinge.

In the second orientation 704, the cover portion 212 is disposed at arear of a housing of the computing device 102, e.g., such that a usermay view the display device 110. The first and second mid-spines 214,216 of the rotatable hinge 106 wrap around the stylus 708 in thisexample but the clip 710 is illustrated as engaging (e.g., secured to)the rotatable hinge 106.

In the third orientation 706, the cover portion 212 is disposed at arear of a housing of the computing device 102 and the stylus 708 isposited adjacent to a side of the housing. The first and secondmid-spines 214, 216 of the rotatable hinge 106 wrap around the stylus708 in this example and the clip 710 is also secured to the rotatablehinge 106. Thus, the rotatable hinge 106 has a length sufficient to atleast partially surround the stylus 708 and permit the cover portion 212to flatly contact the rear of the computing device 102 in each of thefirst, second, and third orientations 702, 704, 706.

FIG. 8 depicts a cross section taken along an axis 800 of FIG. 2 showingthe magnetic coupling device 204 as well as a cross section of a cavity802 of the computing device 102 in greater detail. In this example, amagnet of the magnetic coupling device 204 is illustrated as disposedwithin the connection portion 202.

Movement of the connection portion 202 and the channel 802 together maycause the magnet 804 to be attracted to a magnet 806 of a magneticcoupling device 808 of the computing device 102, which in this exampleis disposed within the channel 802 of a housing of the computing device102. In one or more implementations, flexibility of the rotatable hinge106 may cause the connection portion 202 to “snap into” the channel 802.Further, this may also cause the connection portion 202 to “line up”with the channel 802, such that the mechanical coupling protrusion 208is aligned for insertion into the cavity.

The magnetic coupling devices 804, 806 may be configured in a variety ofways. For example, the magnetic coupling device 804 may employ a backing810 (e.g., such as steel) to cause a magnetic field generated by themagnet 804 to extend outward away from the backing 810. Thus, a range ofthe magnetic field generated by the magnet 804 may be extended. Avariety of other configurations may also be employed by the magneticcoupling device 804, 806, examples of which are described and shown inrelation to the following referenced figure.

FIG. 9 depicts an example 900 of a magnetic coupling portion that may beemployed by the protection device 104 or computing device 102 toimplement a flux fountain. In this example, alignment of a magnet fieldis indicted for each of a plurality of magnets using arrows.

A first magnet 902 is disposed in the magnetic coupling device having amagnetic field aligned along an axis. Second and third magnets 904, 906are disposed on opposing sides of the first magnet 902. The alignment ofthe respective magnetic fields of the second and third magnets 904, 906is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first magnet 902 andgenerally opposed each other.

In this case, the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets areaimed towards the first magnet 902. This causes the magnetic field ofthe first magnet 902 to extend further along the indicated axis, therebyincreasing a range of the magnetic field of the first magnet 902.

The effect may be further extended using fourth and fifth magnets 908,910. In this example, the fourth and fifth magnets 908, 910 havemagnetic fields that are aligned as substantially opposite to themagnetic field of the first magnet 902. Further, the second magnet 904is disposed between the fourth magnet 908 and the first magnet 902. Thethird magnet 906 is disposed between the first magnet 902 and the fifthmagnet 910. Thus, the magnetic fields of the fourth and fifth magnets908, 910 may also be caused to extend further along their respectiveaxes which may further increase the strength of these magnets as well asother magnets in the collection. This arrangement of five magnets issuitable to form a flux fountain. Although five magnets were described,any odd number of magnets of five and greater may repeat thisrelationship to form flux fountains of even greater strength.

To magnetically attach to another magnetic coupling device, a similararrangement of magnets may be disposed “on top” or “below” of theillustrated arrangement, e.g., so the magnetic fields of the first,fourth and fifth magnets 902, 908, 910 are aligned with correspondingmagnets above or below those magnets. Further, in the illustratedexample, the strength of the first, fourth, and fifth magnets 902, 908,910 is stronger than the second and third magnets 904, 906, althoughother implementations are also contemplated. Another example of a fluxfountain is described in relation to the following discussion of thefigure.

FIG. 10 depicts an example 1000 of a magnetic coupling portion that maybe employed by the protection device 104 or computing device 102 toimplement a flux fountain. In this example, alignment of a magnet fieldis also indicted for each of a plurality of magnets using arrows.

Like the example 900 of FIG. 9, a first magnet 1002 is disposed in themagnetic coupling device having a magnetic field aligned along an axis.Second and third magnets 1004, 1006 are disposed on opposing sides ofthe first magnet 1002. The alignment of the magnetic fields of thesecond and third magnets 1004, 1006 are substantially perpendicular theaxis of the first magnet 1002 and generally opposed each other like theexample 900 of FIG. 9.

In this case, the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets areaimed towards the first magnet 1002. This causes the magnetic field ofthe first magnet 1002 to extend further along the indicated axis,thereby increasing a range of the magnetic field of the first magnet1002.

This effect may be further extended using fourth and fifth magnets 1008,1010. In this example, the fourth magnet 1008 has a magnetic field thatis aligned as substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the firstmagnet 1002. The fifth magnet 1010 has a magnetic field that is alignedas substantially corresponding to the magnet field of the second magnet1004 and is substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the thirdmagnet 1006. The fourth magnet 1008 is disposed between the third andfifth magnets 1006, 1010 in the magnetic coupling device.

This arrangement of five magnets is suitable to form a flux fountain.Although five magnets are described, any odd number of magnets of fiveand greater may repeat this relationship to form flux fountains of evengreater strength. Thus, the magnetic fields of the first 1002 and fourthmagnet 1008 may also be caused to extend further along its axis whichmay further increase the strength of this magnet.

To magnetically attach to another magnetic coupling device, a similararrangement of magnets may be disposed “on top” or “below” of theillustrated arrangement, e.g., so the magnetic fields of the first andfourth magnets 1002, 1008 are aligned with corresponding magnets aboveor below those magnets. Further, in the illustrated example, thestrength of the first and fourth magnets 1002, 1008 (individually) isstronger than a strength of the second, third and fifth magnets 1004,1006, 1010, although other implementations are also contemplated.

Further, the example 900 of FIG. 9, using similar sizes of magnets, mayhave increased magnetic coupling as opposed to the example 1000 of FIG.10. For instance, the example 900 of FIG. 9 uses three magnets (e.g. thefirst, fourth, and fifth magnets 902, 908, 910) to primarily provide themagnetic coupling, with two magnets used to “steer” the magnetic fieldsof those magnets, e.g., the second and third magnets 904, 906. However,the example 1000 of FIG. 10 uses two magnets (e.g., the first and fourthmagnets 1002, 1008) to primarily provide the magnetic coupling, withthree magnets used to “steer” the magnetic fields of those magnets,e.g., the second, third, and fifth magnets 1004, 1006, 1008.

Accordingly, though, the example 1000 of FIG. 10, using similar sizes ofmagnets, may have increased magnetic alignment capabilities as opposedto the example 900 of FIG. 9. For instance, the example 1000 of FIG. 10uses three magnets (e.g. the second, third, and fifth magnets 1004,1006, 1010) to “steer” the magnetic fields of the first and fourthmagnets 1002, 1008, which are used to provide primary magnetic coupling.Therefore, the alignment of the fields of the magnets in the example1000 of FIG. 10 may be closer than the alignment of the example 900 ofFIG. 9.

Regardless of the technique employed, it should be readily apparent thatthe “steering” or “aiming” of the magnetic fields described may be usedto increase an effective range of the magnets, e.g., in comparison withthe use of the magnets having similar strengths by themselves in aconventional aligned state. In one or more implementations, this causesan increase from a few millimeters using an amount of magnetic materialto a few centimeters using the same amount of magnetic material.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross section taken along an axis 1100 of FIG. 2showing the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 as well as a crosssection of the cavity 802 of the computing device 102 in greater detail.A projection 1102 of the connection portion 202 and channel 802 areconfigured to have complementary sizes and shapes to limit movement ofthe connection portion 202 with respect to the computing device 102. Theprotrusions 208, 210 may be formed from a variety of differentmaterials, such as a glass-filled resin. Additionally, the protrusions208, 210 may be pressed into and glued to a spine of the connectionportion 202 and may also act to retain an outer layer fabric of theprotection device that wraps around the spine and may do so as part ofmanufacture to hold this fabric in place by using holes in the fabricthrough which the protrusions 208 are inserted.

In this example, the projection 1102 of the connection portion 202 alsoincludes disposed thereon the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 that isconfigured to be received in a complementary cavity 1104 disposed withinthe channel 802. The cavity 1104, for instance, may be configured toreceive the protrusion 208 when configured as a substantially oval posthaving angled sides as shown in FIGS. 3-5, although other examples arealso contemplated.

When a force is applied that coincides with a longitudinal axis thatfollows the height of the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 and thedepth of the cavity 1104, a user overcomes the magnetic coupling forceapplied by the magnets solely to separate the protection device 104 fromthe computing device 102. However, when a force is applied along anotheraxis (i.e., at other angles) the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 isconfigured to mechanically bind within the cavity 1104. This creates amechanical force to resist removal of the protection device 104 from thecomputing device 102 in addition to the magnetic force of the magneticcoupling devices 204, 206.

In this way, the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 may bias the removalof the protection device 104 from the computing device 102 to mimictearing a page from a book and restrict other attempts to separate thedevices. Referring again to FIG. 1, a user may grasp the protectiondevice 104 with one hand and the computing device 102 with another andpull the devices generally away from each other while in this relatively“flat” orientation, e.g., to mimic ripping a page from a book. Throughbending of the rotatable hinge 106 the protrusion 208 and an axis of thecavity 1104 may be generally aligned to permit removal.

However, at other orientations, sides of the protrusion 208 may bindagainst sides of the cavity 1104, thereby restricting removal andpromoting a secure connection between the devices. The protrusion 208and cavity 1104 may be oriented in relation to each other in a varietyof other ways as described to promote removal along a desired axis andpromote a secure connection along other axes without departing from thespirit and scope thereof.

Example System and Device

FIG. 12 illustrates an example system generally at 1200 that includes anexample computing device 1202 that is representative of one or morecomputing systems and/or devices that may implement the varioustechniques described herein. The computing device 1202 may be, forexample, be configured to assume a mobile configuration through use of ahousing formed and size to be grasped and carried by one or more handsof a user, illustrated examples of which include a mobile phone, mobilegame and music device, and tablet computer although other examples arealso contemplated.

The example computing device 1202 as illustrated includes a processingsystem 1204, one or more computer-readable media 1206, and one or moreI/O interface 1208 that are communicatively coupled, one to another.Although not shown, the computing device 1202 may further include asystem bus or other data and command transfer system that couples thevarious components, one to another. A system bus can include any one orcombination of different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a processoror local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus architectures. Avariety of other examples are also contemplated, such as control anddata lines.

The processing system 1204 is representative of functionality to performone or more operations using hardware. Accordingly, the processingsystem 1204 is illustrated as including hardware element 1210 that maybe configured as processors, functional blocks, and so forth. This mayinclude implementation in hardware as an application specific integratedcircuit or other logic device formed using one or more semiconductors.The hardware elements 1210 are not limited by the materials from whichthey are formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein. Forexample, processors may be comprised of semiconductor(s) and/ortransistors (e.g., electronic integrated circuits (ICs)). In such acontext, processor-executable instructions may beelectronically-executable instructions.

The computer-readable storage media 1206 is illustrated as includingmemory/storage 1212. The memory/storage 1212 represents memory/storagecapacity associated with one or more computer-readable media. Thememory/storage component 1212 may include volatile media (such as randomaccess memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as read only memory(ROM), Flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth). Thememory/storage component 1212 may include fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, afixed hard drive, and so on) as well as removable media (e.g., Flashmemory, a removable hard drive, an optical disc, and so forth). Thecomputer-readable media 1206 may be configured in a variety of otherways as further described below.

Input/output interface(s) 1208 are representative of functionality toallow a user to enter commands and information to computing device 1202,and also allow information to be presented to the user and/or othercomponents or devices using various input/output devices. Examples ofinput devices include a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., amouse), a microphone, a scanner, touch functionality (e.g., capacitiveor other sensors that are configured to detect physical touch), a camera(e.g., which may employ visible or non-visible wavelengths such asinfrared frequencies to recognize movement as gestures that do notinvolve touch), and so forth. Examples of output devices include adisplay device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, anetwork card, tactile-response device, and so forth. Thus, the computingdevice 1202 may be configured in a variety of ways to support userinteraction.

The computing device 1202 is further illustrated as beingcommunicatively and physically coupled to an input device 1214 that isphysically and communicatively removable from the computing device 1202.In this way, a variety of different input devices may be coupled to thecomputing device 1202 having a wide variety of configurations to supporta wide variety of functionality. In this example, the input device 1214includes one or more keys 1216, which may be configured as pressuresensitive keys, mechanically switched keys, and so forth.

The input device 1214 is further illustrated as include one or moremodules 1218 that may be configured to support a variety offunctionality. The one or more modules 1218, for instance, may beconfigured to process analog and/or digital signals received from thekeys 1216 to determine whether a keystroke was intended, determinewhether an input is indicative of resting pressure, supportauthentication of the input device 1214 for operation with the computingdevice 1202, and so on.

Various techniques may be described herein in the general context ofsoftware, hardware elements, or program modules. Generally, such modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, elements, components, datastructures, and so forth that perform particular tasks or implementparticular abstract data types. The terms “module,” “functionality,” and“component” as used herein generally represent software, firmware,hardware, or a combination thereof. The features of the techniquesdescribed herein are platform-independent, meaning that the techniquesmay be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms havinga variety of processors.

An implementation of the described modules and techniques may be storedon or transmitted across some form of computer-readable media. Thecomputer-readable media may include a variety of media that may beaccessed by the computing device 1202. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media may include “computer-readablestorage media” and “computer-readable signal media.”

“Computer-readable storage media” may refer to media and/or devices thatenable persistent and/or non-transitory storage of information incontrast to mere signal transmission, carrier waves, or signals per se.Thus, computer-readable storage media refers to non-signal bearingmedia. The computer-readable storage media includes hardware such asvolatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media and/orstorage devices implemented in a method or technology suitable forstorage of information such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, logic elements/circuits, or other data.Examples of computer-readable storage media may include, but are notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, harddisks, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or other storage device, tangible media, orarticle of manufacture suitable to store the desired information andwhich may be accessed by a computer.

“Computer-readable signal media” may refer to a signal-bearing mediumthat is configured to transmit instructions to the hardware of thecomputing device 1202, such as via a network. Signal media typically mayembody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules,or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier waves, datasignals, or other transport mechanism. Signal media also include anyinformation delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

As previously described, hardware elements 1210 and computer-readablemedia 1206 are representative of modules, programmable device logicand/or fixed device logic implemented in a hardware form that may beemployed in some embodiments to implement at least some aspects of thetechniques described herein, such as to perform one or moreinstructions. Hardware may include components of an integrated circuitor on-chip system, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logicdevice (CPLD), and other implementations in silicon or other hardware.In this context, hardware may operate as a processing device thatperforms program tasks defined by instructions and/or logic embodied bythe hardware as well as a hardware utilized to store instructions forexecution, e.g., the computer-readable storage media describedpreviously.

Combinations of the foregoing may also be employed to implement varioustechniques described herein. Accordingly, software, hardware, orexecutable modules may be implemented as one or more instructions and/orlogic embodied on some form of computer-readable storage media and/or byone or more hardware elements 1210. The computing device 1202 may beconfigured to implement particular instructions and/or functionscorresponding to the software and/or hardware modules. Accordingly,implementation of a module that is executable by the computing device1202 as software may be achieved at least partially in hardware, e.g.,through use of computer-readable storage media and/or hardware elements1210 of the processing system 1204. The instructions and/or functionsmay be executable/operable by one or more articles of manufacture (forexample, one or more computing devices 1202 and/or processing systems1204) to implement techniques, modules, and examples described herein.

CONCLUSION

Although the example implementations have been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to beunderstood that the implementations defined in the appended claims isnot necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described.Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the claimed features.

What is claimed is:
 1. An input device comprising: an input portion, theinput portion including a keyboard having one or more physical keys; afirst mid-spine and a second mid-spine that are positioned between theinput portion and a connection portion of the input device; and theconnection portion configured to form a removable physical coupling to acomputing device using one or more protrusions configured to be receivedwithin one or more cavities of the computing device.
 2. The input deviceof claim 1, wherein the input device is configurable to cover a displaydevice of the computing device when not being utilized to provide inputto the computing device.
 3. The input device of claim 1, wherein theconnection portion is further configured to form the removable physicalcoupling to the computing device through the use of magnetism.
 4. Theinput device of claim 1, wherein the one or more protrusions areconfigured to support communication of data between the input device andthe computing device.
 5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the one ormore protrusions are configured to support the transfer of power betweenthe input device and the computing device.
 6. An keyboard device that isconfigurable to cover a display of a computing device when not beingutilized to provide input to the computing device, the keyboard devicecomprising: an input portion comprising one or more physical keys; afirst mid-spine and a second mid-spine that are positioned between theinput portion and a connection portion of the keyboard device; and theconnection portion configured to form a removable physical coupling tothe computing device using one or more protrusions configured to bereceived within one or more cavities of the computing device.
 7. Thekeyboard device of claim 6, wherein the connection portion is furtherconfigured to form the removable physical coupling to the computingdevice through the use of magnetism.
 8. The input device of claim 6,wherein the one or more protrusions are configured to supportcommunication of data between the keyboard device and the computingdevice.
 9. The keyboard device of claim 6, wherein the one or moreprotrusions are configured to support the transfer of power between thekeyboard device and the computing device.
 10. A system comprising: acomputing device and an input device; the computing device comprising: adisplay; and a housing comprising one or more cavities positioned alongone side of the housing, the one or more cavities configured to receiveone or more protrusions positioned on a connection portion of an inputdevice in order to form a removable physical coupling to the inputdevice; the input device comprising: an input portion comprising one ormore physical keys; and a first mid-spine and a second mid-spine thatare positioned between the input portion and the connection portion ofthe input device.
 11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein theinput device is configurable to cover the display of the computingdevice when not being utilized to provide input to the computing device.12. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the one or more cavitiesand the one or more protrusions are configured to support communicationof data between the input device and the computing device.
 13. Thecomputing device of claim 10, wherein the one or more cavities and theone or more protrusions are configured to support the transfer of powerbetween the input device and the computing device.
 14. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the connection portion is further configured to formthe removable physical coupling through the use of magnetism.